Women protest naked in Delta over killings

Women and youths in Orhuwhorun community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday protested naked against what they described as unexplained killings and rape cases in the community.

Some of the protesters told our correspondent that the development was a traditional practice aimed at restoring peace to the community.

It was learnt that in the last three weeks, the community had been in the throes of bizarre killings of youths, raping of teenage girls and stealing in farmlands perpetrated by unknown persons.

The situation led to the naked protest by the women and youths. The protest was masterminded by a group.

They danced through Akoto, Ekerejegbe, Ekereabe, Ekerevie and Bughare Quarters in the community, chanting traditional songs and waving green leaves signifying the cleansing of the land.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ovie in council of the community, Mr. Tataunu Akporhobor, decried the increase in criminal activities in the community.

He expressed confidence that the naked protest would restore peace to the community.

Apkorhobor described the protest as a ‘cleansing rite,’ adding that both Christians and non-Christians partook in the exercise.

In a related development, there was a crisis between the youth of Orhuwhorun and the township youths leading to the amputation of the left arm of one Stanley Okobiebie, while many allegedly sustained injuries.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that trouble started when the township youths refused to allow Orhuwhorun youths to participate in the carrying of concrete blocks to a construction site.

It was gathered that both groups had been at loggerheads before the incident over the sharing of jobs assigned to them by the contractors working with the oil companies in the area.

The spokesperson for the police command in the state, DSP Celestine Kalu, said the command had deployed more troops to the community to maintain law and order.

He added that 16 persons arrested in connection with the crisis in the community were currently being interrogated.